Troublesome evening on slippery Bavarian highway ends in two fatalities
Last night, tragedy struck on a slippery stretch of road near Odelzhausen junction in Dachau district. A car met an unfortunate end under the rear of a stationary articulated lorry crossing the acceleration lane and encroaching into the middle lane. The stormy weather had left the asphalt slick with freezing rain, setting the stage for a harrowing accident.
The 64-year-old driver of the lorry only sustained minor injuries in the collision. Unfortunately, the damage to both vehicles was substantial, amounting to approximately 75,000 euros. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
The closure of A8 in the direction of Munich from Adelzhausen junction was expected to persist well into the morning. ((Railway and airport constraints, weather conditions)) Highway 99, the Munich eastern bypass, was also impacted by a sequence of unfortunate events. An extensive multi-vehicle accident, involving 13 vehicles, unfolded in the northbound lanes of Aschheim, causing a partial closure. This incident was followed by three more collisions in the southbound direction, necessitating a temporary closure.
Extreme winter weather has wreaked havoc in and around Munich for several days, with air traffic at the city's airport grinding to a halt for a time on Tuesday. Rail service disruptions persist as well, with no long-distance trains departing Munich for Salzburg, Innsbruck, Lindau, and Zurich.
Additional Insights:
Road hazards, like slippery surfaces, contribute to accidents in numerous ways. Bad weather conditions like snow, ice, rain, loose gravel, or debris can mean reduced tire traction, hydroplaning, or even black ice. Poor road design and maintenance, such as narrow lanes and serious blind curves, further enhance the likelihood of accidents. Driver behavior, such as speeding and negligence, plays a significant part in these kinds of incidents.
